Sunday, March 27, 2016 Resurrection of the Lord PREPARING OUR HEARTS FOR WORSHIP Easter is not just an ancient oddity. Easter is an unsettling way in the world that continues to have socioeconomic, political, and human implications. Easter is not a spiritual event, but a surging of power that touches all of life. The Easter question is not whether you can get your mind around the resurrection, because you cannot. Rather the question is whether you can permit in your horizon new healing power, new surging possibility, new gestures to the lame, new ways of power in an armed, fearful world, new risk, new life, leaping, dancing, singing, praising the power beyond all our controlled powers. - Walter Brueggemann Because God challenges us to follow the teaching and example of Jesus Christ, we strive to be a warm, accepting family of worshipers and faith explorers who reach out to share Christ s love, support each other, and serve our community and world.
We Gather to Praise God PRELUDE Es its ein Ros' entsprungen Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Brass Quartet WELCOME SILENT REFLECTION AND RINGING OF THE BELL * CALL TO WORSHIP ONE: Christ is risen! ALL: Christ is risen indeed! ONE: Christ is risen! ALL: Christ is risen indeed! ONE: Christ is risen! ALL: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! * EASTER INTROIT * HYMN 123 (on facing page) Jesus Christ is Risen Today! DRAW NEAR TO GOD S LOVE AND GRACE God of resurrection, our world is filled with darkness. Terror, bombings, killings There is so much hate, so much fear. Filled with hate, people kill innocents, unable to see their humanity, unable to see them as neighbors. Filled with fear, we do not see clearly either. In fear, we see others as enemies; in fear, we are unable to see everyone as neighbors, as those you love. In fear, we do not trust the power of love, the power of the cross. In fear, we do not follow the way of Jesus, who loves even enemies. God of new life, forgive us. Take away the fear that binds us. Take away the fear that turns us away from you. By the power of your Spirit, let us hear the Risen One calling our name. Speak to us and draw us into your light that gives life. Transform us to be people of light, offering love and hope to a darkened world. * Please stand in body or spirit.
SILENCE AND SUNG RESPONSE RECEIVE GOD S LOVE AND GRACE * SING GLORY TO GOD * PASSING THE PEACE ONE: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ALL: And also with you.
We Listen for God s Word SUNG PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (sung twice) FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON Isaiah 65:17-25 Page 696 ONE: The Word of the Lord. ALL: Thanks be to God. WORD WITH CHILDREN Rachel Clark SECOND SCRIPTURE LESSON John 20:1-18 Page 114 ONE: The Word of the Lord. ALL: Thanks be to God. SERMON LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS James Sledge
* HYMN Woman, Weeping in the Garden
* PROFESSING OUR FAITH The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE ONE: Holy Lord of Life, ALL: Hear our prayer. OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD Easter Cantata, Mvt. III A&B Daniel Pinkham (1923-2006) * DOXOLOGY
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD S SUPPER Invitation to the Lord s Table Great Thanksgiving ONE: Christ is risen! ALL: Christ is risen indeed! ONE: Lift up your hearts. ALL: We lift them up to the Lord. ONE: Let us give thanks to God. ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise. ONE: It is truly right Sanctus The Lord s Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Distribution of the Elements Communion is by intinction. Come forward by the outside aisles, take bread, dip it into the cup and eat, then return via the center aisle. Bread is gluten-free, cup is non-alcoholic, and yeast-free wafers are available. A tray with bread and cups will be brought to those who cannot come forward. Easter Cantata, Movement IV Daniel Pinkham Christ is Alive Allen Pote (b. 1945) POST COMMUNION PRAYER
* HYMN Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna!
* OUR LIFE TOGETHER AS THE BODY OF CHRIST * CHARGE AND BLESSING * CHORAL BENEDICTION Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah G.F. Handel (1685-1759) POSTLUDE Toccata Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937) Songs Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-721003. A Warm Welcome We welcome all who come to worship with us. You are invited to join us for coffee in Fellowship Hall immediately following worship. If you need to step out of worship, the service is being broadcast into the parlor, just across the hall from the narthex at the back of the sanctuary. Please turn off all cell phones and flash devices during the service. Please sign the red friendship pad which can be found at the end of the pew, then pass the pad along to your neighbor. Large-print bulletins, including copies of today s hymns and This Week at FCPC, are available at the sanctuary entrances. Portable electronic assistive listening devices are available in the narthex. Ushers can provide them upon request. An audio recording of today s service and audio/video of today s sermon can be found at www.fallschurchpresby.org/sermon. Christian Development for all Ages There are no Christian Development classes today. Children in Worship Children are always welcome in our services. Children s worship bags with books and materials that can be used during worship are available at the Kids Corner, located on the side pew, lectern side, at the front of the sanctuary. Please enjoy the materials and return them after the service. Nursery care is offered in Room 11 during the 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. services. Christian nurture is offered for 2 s and 3 s in room 206. There is no Godly Play today.
Supporting us in Worship Today 9:30 a.m. Acolyte Henry Martin Worship Leader Eric Munson Communion Servers Bruce Cabarle, Kathy Chavez, Nancy Jones, Jeff Jordan, Megan Klose, Jodi Lingan, Edward Newburn Ushers Theresa Brown, Greg Moore, Edward Newburn, Sydney Newburn Sound Assistant Jake Ayers 11:15 a.m. Acolyte Ella Munson Worship Leader Andy Hendricks Communion Servers Patsy Acheson, Mary Elkind, Becca Leland, Catriona McCormack, Bob Purks, Mike Volpe Ushers Bitsy Kotite, Jack Sarver, Marnie Sarver, Mike Volpe Sound Assistant Helen Wilkins Sunday Sexton Bob Purks Special thanks to our brass players today: Craig Arnold, Matthew Byrne, Eric Gerhardt and Dale Moore. Thanks also to Tina Boosahda and David Schoonover, as they lend their voices to the choir today.
Please keep in your prayers The Cohen family on the death of Leila Cohen, friend of Becca Leland The Powers family on the death of Jim s father, Jack Powers, on March 19 Barry and Anita New s son-in-law, Matt, diagnosed with kidney cancer Paula Bloemendaal on the tragic death of her nephew, Sanquez Mary Jones and family on the death of Mary s sister, Ceil Fessler, on March 14 The Confer family on the death of Jeff Confer on March 4 Jenny Lansbury s brother-in-law, diagnosed with lung cancer Continued prayers for Electa Anum, Kris Barth, Susan Beeman, Donald Bisbee, Marie Blain, Lexi Bognar, Rabbi Marcus Burstein, Mary Kay Cheek, Evelyn Clark, Jeff Jordan, Roger Lansbury, the Lubin family, Nancy Lundien, Virginia Pregano, Don Searle, Tessa Fijn Van Draat, Sandra Wine, Christa Young The Reverend James Sledge, Pastor The Reverend Diane Walton Hendricks, Pastor for Spiritual Growth Rachel M. Clark, Director of Children s Ministry Helen Wilkins, Director of Youth Ministry Dr. Lisa A. Billingham, Director of Music Dr. Lisa Bloy, Organist Felix Polendey, Director of Children s Choirs 225 East Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046 703-532-6518 www.fallschurchpresby.org Falls Church Presbyterian Church belongs to the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, seeking to fully include all of God s children in the leadership of the church regardless of sexual orientation.